Bolivia Congress to elect president

One deputy even brought bow and arrows

The choice of a new president is facing Bolivia's newly-elected Congress, which has begun its first session since general elections in June.

The congress is to decide between two candidates - the former centre-right president, Gonzalo Sanchez Lozada, and the leader of the coca growers, Evo Morales.

Evo Morales has angered the US

The BBC's Jan Rocha, in La Paz, says Mr Sanchez Lozada is expected to win but his rival has not given up hope and hundreds of his supporters are gathered outside the Congress building.

Mr Morales has opposed US-backed drug-eradication programmes and Washington has warned that financial aid could be withdrawn if he becomes president.

Colourful opening

The session of Congress began with the swearing in of the new deputies - one third of whom represent Bolivia's indigenous peoples and peasant and trade union organisations.

Proceedings were translated into Bolivia's three main Indian languages - Aymara, Quechua and Guarani.

New members arrived in traditional dress, including ponchos and hats of different shapes. One new deputy carried a giant bow and arrows.

Gonzalo Sanchez Lozada is the favourite

Mr Sanchez Lozada, of the MNRE party, polled the most votes in July's presidential elections with Mr Morales, of the left-wing MAS, close behind in a surprise second place.

Under Bolivian law, Congress must choose the president from the two leading candidates ahead of a 6 August inauguration.

Even if Mr Sanchez Lozada wins, the size of the new left-wing opposition in Congress - with more than a third of the seats - will mean they are a force to be reckoned with.